Federal judge denies Trump campaign bid to halt vote count in Philadelphia

A bid by the Trump campaign to stop the vote count in Philadelphia over observer access has been denied by a federal judge.

According to the Associated Press, U.S. District Judge Paul S. Diamond has urged the sides to develop an agreement that allows the final ballots to be tallied inside a hall at a downtown convention center.

While the hearing unfolded, President Trump’s lead over Joe Biden narrowed to less than a percentage point in the Keystone State where 20 electoral votes are at stake.

Diamond, an appointee of President George W. Bush, chastened the lawyers as both sides bickered about who was following the rules and reminded them they are officers of the court.

“Really, can’t we be responsible adults here and reach an agreement?” the exasperated judge asked. “The whole thing could (soon) be moot.”

Republicans went to court Thursday afternoon to complain that election officials in the Democratic-led city were ignoring a state court order they’d won earlier in the day to give them a closer view of ballot processing.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.